A good nose: How odour determines our lives

“I can’t stand the smell of him” – there’s far more to this saying than meets the eye. After all, smell plays a vital role in our lives: our nose determines who we fall in love with, who we befriend, and can even save our lives. No wonder, then, that the choice of scents for Eric:Barbier products had to be carefully considered. If we had to give up one of our senses, many would choose the sense of smell. But wouldn’t life be far less exciting without any smells at all? Of course, the “variety of smells” on bus journeys on sweltering summer days isn’t much fun. But what about the fresh scent of nature after a heavy rain shower? Or that summer feeling when the barbecue is sizzling on the grill and the aroma of grilling fills the garden? Positive memories are often linked to certain smells, too.

The scent has to be right: keep your nose open when choosing a partner

Whether a couple gets together inevitably depends on the smell of the potential partner: if the date’s body odour is unpleasant, the chances of a future together are virtually zero. The reason can be explained chemically – and is a rather crazy trick of evolution. Studies show that we are particularly attracted to the scent of other people who produce different proteins for immune defence. If these different genes are combined, children born to such a couple are theoretically better protected than if their parents had similar protein profiles. Researchers have demonstrated that the human nose can detect over a trillion different odours – a quantum leap from the long-held assumption that the crown of creation was content with just 10,000 odours. Women’s ovulation can also be subconsciously detected and increases desire. So-called pheromones, the body’s volatile odour substances, signal to men that there is a good chance of reproduction – Mother Nature thus helps us to avoid extinction. Speaking of death: away from the bedroom, our sense of smell helps to prolong life, for instance when detecting expired food or escaping gas that carries the smell of rotten eggs.

The scent for modern gentlemen

It goes without saying, then, that the right scent has also played a central role in the product development at Eric:Barbier. Perfume, aftershave, beard oil, cream wax and many other products feature a captivating mahogany scent. “We were looking for a scent that is particularly masculine without being overpowering,” explains master barber Anthony Stölting. “The problem is often that fragrances are artificially produced, which can lead to irritation, particularly on sensitive skin,” he explains. The team at Eric:Barbier took a different approach and opted for natural ingredients. The woody, spicy mahogany scent is often complemented by argan oil, which nourishes the skin and has a slightly nutty scent of its own. But other scents also catch the attention of visitors to the salons on Ballindamm and in HafenCity. The new pre-shave oil provides freshness with peppermint accents from field mint, whilst the brand’s own shaving soap exudes the scent of exquisite sandalwood as it lathers and is applied. For an extra boost in the shower, the lavender and rosemary notes of the paraben-free Vital Shampoo are guaranteed to deliver – thanks to its gentle formula, it’s particularly suitable for sensitive scalps – and is sure to please the nose too. Would you like to find out more about product development at Eric:Barbier? Here we reveal how customers play an important role in the process!